The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1887-02-23
farm 9otes.
SELLING WHEAT AS FLOUR.

SO tar as possible farmers who
have wheat to sell should market it
as flour. There is usually a local
demand IN their own neighborhood,
and the farmer not only gets higher
prices for his grain, but saves the
bran and coarser portions for feeding
on the farm. It is these arse parts
that make the richest BY
doing this the plan of growing wheat
need not be attended by the exhaus-
ton Of soil fertility, as it usually is.
ROOTS FOR LATE WINTER.
Mangel wurzels are a later-ripen-
ing and better-keeping root than any
kind of beet, and therefore superior
for use late in the season. The
great majority Of mich COWS come
in fresh flow of milk just between
hay and grass, when cornstalks have
dried out until they are woody and
unpalatable. Fortunate is the farm
err who has a pit of mangels to open
at this time. They will keep up the
flow of milk until the animal can be
turned out to grass. These roots
are excellent tor breeding sows and
ewes.
HANDLING COLTS
The work of breaking a horse to
harness and light work can scarcely
be commenced too early. 1t requires
time and patience. For this reason
Winter is the best time for farmers
to exercise colts, leading them by
the halter and accustoming them
to the bit and harness. When this
is learned hitch the colt up with
some well-trained horse and drive
over level ground. The gliding Of
a sleigh over the snow makes no
noise, and the horse will be trained
for driving before it is aware that
anything has happened. When hand
ling of the colt is begun something
must be done every day, that he may
not forgeth his training until thorough
ly broken.
BREEDING COWS.
Some cows will come in heat at
the regular time, and be served by
a bull even after they + with calf:
This sometimes occasions serious
losses, the cow being treated as far
row, turned off to the butcher, or
perhaps be continued in milk later
than would be advisable if the true
state of affairs were known. If COW
which has been served by the bull
begins to drop off earlier than was
expected, it will be fair to presume
that she is with calf by the earliest
service. After the fntus is four or
five months old it's motion may be
observed, particularly when the COW
drinks heartily in the morning.
This is an untailing sign and always
easily tested.
CLOVER HAY FOR HORSES.
Everybody admits that clover is
the best kind Of hay for cows, but it
is commonly objected to as food for
horses, especially those inclined to
heaves. 1t is often dusty because it
is apt to be injured in curing. An
other objection is that horses like
clover hay SO we'll and eat so greed
lily of it that their stomachs are
over loaded. Injury from hard driv-
ing under such circumstances is
inevitable. But if clover hay is cut
and wet, then mix a little meal, it is
probably the most economical feed
for any horse, and will do no injury
to any, however borken-winded.
Glover hay is extremely nutritious,
and only a small quantity per day
will be needed fed with grain.
DECAY OF GRASS ROOTS.
The roots of grass, especially of
clover, are an important part Of the
benefit Of blowing under sod as a
manure. But it is quite probable
that in any old sod some parts of
the roots die off every year, especi-
ally after a severe winter, and their
decay in the soil is an important
means for maintaining the fertility
of lands continued in grass from
year to year. If different kinds of
grasses are sown some are liable to
die earlier than others, and thus
furnish food for those that remain.
Glover, which is biennial, is thus
often sown with timothy for a per-
manent meadow. The clover is
mostly out after the second year.
and the timothy holds inthe ground
longer than it would if originally
sown alone.
WINTER COWS.